Toy combination cigarette case and lighter



Dec. 21, 1954 A. NEWBERG TOY COMBINATION CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER Filed Jan. 11, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l -51 INVENTOR ALBERT NEWBERG Dec. 21, 1954 TOY COMBINATION Filed Jan. 11, 1952 A. NEWBERG CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 5e 48 I 52 46 5/ 4/ A! 5 .77 59 45 g; 57 Z2 52 Z7 INVENTOR. ALBERT NE WBERG gzzk@w United States Patent Othce 2,697,297 Patented Dec. 21, 1954 TOY CORHNATIQN (IIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER Albert Newberg, New York, N. Y.

Application January 11, 1952, Serial No. 265,931

Claims. (Cl. 461) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a toy combination cigarette case and lighter and to a flashlight lighter construction forming part of the toy and which is arranged to simulate a conventional cigarette li hter.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of a toy arranged to simulate a combination cigarette case and lighter and which has an openable case for containing candy cigarettes and a flashlight mounted on the top of the case to be operated after the manner of a conventional cigarette lighter to illuminate a conventional flashlight bulb in a manner so that a child can mimic the action of grown ups in removing one of the candy cigarettes from the case and pretending to light the same using the flashlight.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the openable case of pivotally connected opposed case sections having hollow interiors into which the candy cigarettes can be placed with means within the case sections for holding the candy cigarettes in position therein when the case is opened.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the flashlight to have the general appearance of a conventional cigarette lighter including a pivotally mounted actuator member arranged to be thumb operated to close a circuit within the lighter and cause a conventional flashlight bulb to be illuminated in a manner to be held to the end of a candy cigarette suspended from the lips to simulate the action of grown-ups in lighting a cigarette.

The present invention further proposes arranging the actuator member so that the lamp will be illuminated and extinguished by the member while being pivoted and before being finally continuously illuminated in a manner to mimic the flickering of a conventional cigarette lighter in the act of being lit.

A further object of the present invention proposes the formation of a flashlight construction to simulate both in appearance and operation the appearance and operation of a conventional cigarette lighter so as to appeal to small children and direct their attention away from conventional lighters and eliminate dangerous burns and possible fire damage.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct a toy simulating a combination cigarette case and cigarette lighter which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the toy cigarette case and lighter constructed in accordance-with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l,- but showing the cigarette case in its open position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view takenon the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is aview similar to a portion of Fig. 4, but with the near side of the lighter housing. removed.

Fig. 7 is aiview similar to Fig. 6, but showing the lighter in itsilluminated position.

Fig. 8 is a partial edge elevational view looking in the direction of the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating the lighter in its illuminated position.

The toy combination cigarette case and lighter, according to the first form of the present invention, includes a case 20 consisting of opposed case sections 21. The adjacent sides of the case sections 21 are hollow to have candy cigarettes placed therein. The case sections 21 can be molded of any desired material as metal or the like, but are preferably molded of a synthetic resinous material. One of the case sections 21 is formed along one side with a pair of spaced lugs 22 and the adjacent side of the other case section 21 is formed with three spaced lugs 23. The outer ends of the lugs 23 make direct contact with the lugs 22 and the lugs are formed with aligned apertures through which a pivot pin 24, see particularly Figs. 5 and 9, is passed for pivotally connecting the case sections 21. integrally formed with the free side of one of the case sections 21 there is a projection 25 which engages the inner face of the other case section 21 to hold the sections frictionally in their closed positlon.

Pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 21, between the adjacent lugs 23, there are arms 26 for extending across the candy cigarettes positioned within each of the case sections 21 for holding those candy cigarettes in position in the open condition of the case 25 The arms 26 are preferably made of the same material used for forming the case sections 21.

Arranged in connection with the case 20, there is a housing 27 which is integral with one of the sections 21 of the case 29 and which simulates inappearance a conventional cigarette lighter. The housing 27 is formed of opposed hollow sections 28 and 29 made of any desired dielectric material, but preferably molded of a synthetic resinous material. The section 29 of the housing 27 is formed with a substantially centrally located internal boss 30 having a hole 31. The other section 28 of the housing 27 is formed with a hole 32 aligned with the hole 31. A nut and bolt assembly 33 is passed through the aligned holes 31 and 32 joining the housing sections 23- and 29 releasably together. From Fig. 3, it will be noted that the head and the nut of the nut and bolt assembly 33 are recessed into the outer faces of the sections 28'and 29 of the housing 27.

The housing section 29 is mounted at the top of the one section of the case 29 by the use of a suitable mucilage or a solvent for the synthetic material of which the case 20 and housing 27 are made. However, if desired, the section 29 of the housing 27 could be integrally molded with the one section 21 of the case 20.

Positioned in the bottom of the housing 27, there is a battery 34 which is located in position between the boss 30-andthe bottom wall of the housing. The battery 34 is retained in positioned against one side of the housing 27 by means of a projection 35 molded within the section 29 of the housing 27. The spacing of the side walls of the housing 27 is such that the battery 34 is retained in position against possible lateral shifting. The battery 34 has the usual exposed shell contact 36 and end contact 37. The top walls of the sections 23 and 29 of the housing 27 are formed with aligned semi-circular cutouts which combine to form an aperture directly above the shell contact 36 of the battery. 34.

Positioned within the housing 27, there is a contact strip 39 shaped from a piece of flexible metallic material capable of conducting a small electric current. The one end *39 of the contact strip is locked between the boss and a wall 49 formed in the housing section 29. The said one end 39 of the strip 39 is received in notches 41, see Figs. 6 and 7, formed in the adjacent edge walls of the housing sections 28 and 29. The boss 30, the wall 40 and the notches 41 function to removably retain that one end.39 of the contact strip fixedly in position between the aperture 38 and the shell contact 36 of the battery 34.

T he oneend 39 of the contact strip 39 is formed'with ahole42 aligned with the aperture 38. A lamp 43 has its threaded shell contact 44 threadedly engaged through the hole 42 of the end 39 of the contact strip 39. Thus, the end 39 makes electrical contact with the shell contact 44 of the lamp 43 and functions to hold the lamp 43 in a fixed position in which its end contact 45 bears against the shell contact 36 of the battery 34. The top of the glass globe 46 of the lamp 43 projects through the aperture 38 of the housing 27, see Figs. 6 and 7.

The other end 39* of the contact strip 39 1s free to be flexed to make electrical contact with the end contact 37 of the battery 34 and so complete the electrical circuit through the lamp 43 and illuminate the same.

A pivotally mounted actuator 47 is provided for flexing the end 39 of the contact strip 39 to make the desired electrical contact with the end contact 27 of the battery 34. The actuator 47 is molded of the same dielectric material used for forming the housing 27 and includes a main body portion 48 located externally of the houslng 27. At one end, the main body portion 48 has a slightly enlarged head portion 49 with a recess 50 extended in from the bottom face thereof for extending over and enclosing the projecting portion of the glass globe 46 of the lamp 43, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6.

Remote from the hole 38, the sections 28 and 29 of the housing 27 are formed with aligned cutouts which form a hole 51. A depending extension 52 on the actuator 47 is projected into the housing 27 through the hole 51. Extending from opposite sides of the extens1on 52 there are trunnions 53 which are axially aligned and which are extended into complementary holes 54, see Fig. 3, formed in the housing sections 28 and 29 so as to pivotally support the actuator 47.

the actuator 47 is pivoted about the trunnions 53, the tip 55 moves downward and inward causing the end 39 to be flexed and contact the end contact 37 of the battery 34 and illuminate the lamp 43. In the operative pivoted position of the actuator 47, shown in Fig. 7, the extension 52 engages the material of the housing 27 to one side of the hole 51 and retains the actuator 47 against further pivoting in a position in which the actuator 47 will be urged back to its inoperative position shown in Fig. 6, by the contact strip 39 the moment the finger grip on the actuator 47 is released.

integrally formed with the sections 28 and 29 of the housing 27, there are upwardly extended posts 56 which extend upward along the sides of the main body 48 of the actuator 47, intermediate of the ends thereof. The

.posts 56 appear as the pivot posts for the actuator 47 and function to guide the pivotal movements of that actuator so that the enlarged head portion 49 of the actuator 47 will be seated over the projecting portion of the globe 46 of the lamp 43.

The manner of using the toy combined cigarette case and lighter is as follows:

The candy cigarettes are carried within the case 20 beneath the arm 26. The child in mimicking the actions of a grown-up in smoking a cigarette, opens the case 20 and removes one of the candy cigarettes and again closes the case. The end of the cigarette is engaged between the lips and the actuator 47 is pivoted to cause the tip 55 to flex the end 39 of the contact strip 39 and engage the end contact 37 of the battery 34 completing the circuit through the lamp 43. The projecting portion of the illuminated globe 46 of the lamp 43 is then touched to the end of the cigarette, as though lighting the cigarette. The actuator 47 is again released to be snapped back to its inoperative position in which the projecting portion of the globe 46 of the lamp 43 is enclosed within the recess 50, by the resilient action of the contact strip 39. The return movement of the actuator 47 of course breaks the circuit through the lamp 43 extinguishing the same.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the extension 52 is formed at its inner end with two spaced substantially V-shaped tips 55. Furthermore, the actuator47 has a larger range of pivotal movement between its operative and inoperative positions. With this arrangement the contact strip 39 is caused to have its "end 39 make two successive contacts with the end con- 4 tact 37 of the battery with an intermediate extinguishing of the lamp 43 in an effort to simulate the flickering action of a conventional lighter when it is being illuminated.

When the full operative pivoted position is reached, as shown in Fig. 10, the contact strip 39 functions to hold the actuator 47 in that position until the actuator is manuill) 9pivoted back to its inoperative position shown in In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

The present disclosure is characterized by the tact that the lighter is a part of a combination article which includes the case 20 for holding the candy cigarettes. However, if desired, it is appreciated that the case 20 and the lighter could be made as separate parts without departing from the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A toy comprising a hollow case of pivotally connected sections, candy cigarettes in said case, a separate hollow housing mounted on the top of one of said case sections, a battery having a shell contact and an end contact stationarily mounted in said housing, said housing having a lamp aperture over the shell contact of said battery, a contact strip in said housing having one end stationarily mounted between said aperture and the shell contact of said battery and formed with a hole aligned with said aperture, a vertically disposed lamp in said housing having its threaded shell screwed through said hole to bring its end contact into engagement with the shell contact of said battery with a portion of its glass globe extended through said aperture, said contact strip having its other end positioned to be flexed to engage the end contact of said battery to light said lamp, and a pivotally mounted actuator member on said housing for flexing the other end of said contact strip, said actuator comprising a main body portion located externally of said housing, said housing having a hole spaced from said aperture, an extension on said main body portion extended into said housing through said latter hole, means pivotally mounting said extension within said housing, and means on said extension engaging said contact strip, said contact strip engaging meanscomprising spaced tips on the inner end of said extension and located to one side of said pivotal mounting means.

2. A toy comprising a hollow case of pivotally connected sections, candy cigarettes in said case, a separate hollow housing mounted on the top of one of said case sections, a battery having a shell contact and an end con tact stationarily mounted in said housing, said housing having a lamp aperture over the shell contact of said battery, a contact strip in said housing having one end stationarily mounted between said aperture and the shell contact of said battery and formed with a hole aligned with said aperture, a vertically disposed lamp in said housing having its threaded shell screwed through said hole to bring its end contact into engagement with the shell contact of said battery with a portion of its glass globe extended through said aperture, said contact strip having its other end positioned to be flexed to engage the end contact of said battery to light said lamp, and a pivotally mounted actuator member on said housing for flexing the other end of said contact strip, said actuator comprising a main body portion located externally of said housing, said housing having a hole spaced from said aperture, an extension on said main body portion extended into said housing through said latter hole, means pivotally mounting said extension within said housing, and means on said extension engaging said contact strip, and an enlarged head on said main body portion over said aperture, said head having a recess extended in from its side facing said aperture to enclose the portion of the globe of the lamp which projects through said aperture.

3. A toy simulated in the form of a lighter comprising a housing, a battery having a shell contact and an end contact mounted in said housing, a contact strip fixed at one end in said housing in spaced parallel relation from said battery, the other end being free, a lamp extending through said contact strip and engaging said battery, and a cover enclosing the lamp, pivotally attached to said housing, and an actuator including a body and a head portion and a depending extension pivotally secured on said housing, said extension having two V-shaped tips overlying the free end of the contact strip to urge it into successive engagement with the end contact of the battery to close the circuit and light the lamp in simulation of the flickering light of a lighter.

4. The combination of claim 3 and including an aperture in said housing, a boss and a wall in said housing, and a notch in said housing, one end of said contact strip being secured in said notch whereby the strip is retained between the aperture and said battery, said lamp extending into said aperture.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said head portron has a recess to overlie the free end of the lamp in simulation of a lighter cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,397,610 Appell Nov. 22, 1921 1,995,141 Barber et al Mar. 19, 1935 2,041,843 Lifschitz May 26, 1936 2,068,813 Morey Jan. 26, 1937 2,249,692 Gelardin July 15, 1941 2,412,313 Battersby et al Dec. 10, 1946 2,468,640 Santilli Apr. 26, 1949 2,538,101 Kelch Jan. 16, 1951 

